Calgary, Alta. (March 18, 2017) – It wasn’t the day Canada had expected to have at the 2017 World Championships in Sierra Nevada (SPA) after winning the Nations Cup at the World Cup Finals. Warm weather wreaked havoc on the track all week and the athletes had to fight with soft snow. 

Canada’s top ladies’ and men’s finishers of the day were expectedly Marielle Thompson and Brady Leman, but unexpectedly, they both finished off the podium in fifth and seventh–place respectively. 

Marielle Thompson, the 2016-17 overall Crystal Globe winner, failed to make it through the semi finals after being passed at the last-minute by Germany’s Heidi Zacher in the quarterfinals. Thompson went on to regain some redemption handily winning the small final to finish fifth at the 2017 World Championships. 

"My season couldn’t have been much better,” said Thompson. "I won my third Crystal Globe which was awesome. I finished the small final today with some strong skiing but I was hoping to be in the big final. Fifth is a disappointing result but I’ll have another chance at it in another two years. Right now I’m really looking forward to taking a break for awhile and I’ll get back to skiing in April."

Georgia Simmerling, who is back on the circuit after missing out on some training time due to an injury, went out in the semi finals. Joining teammate Thompson in the small finals, Simmerling finished the day in seventh-place. 

Calgary’s Leman started out the day looking true to form, leading starts and heats, handily winning the quarterfinals. A costly mistake in the quarterfinals cost Leman a shot at a World Championship medal, closing out the season with a seventh-place finish.

"It was a tough day today and it wasn’t the result I was looking for,” said Leman. "It was close and a battle all day. The speed was there to hit the podium but I didn’t end up where I wanted to be. A couple tangles in the semifinals cost me a shot in the big finals. I’m happy the season is over now. It was a long season but I’m going to take the positives from this season and roll in into next season. I’m going to take some time off now to unwind and enjoy the success we’ve had this year."

Chris Del Bosco moved through the 1/8 finals but was unable to hang on in the quarterfinals, finishing third in his heat for a final placing of ninth. Both Dave Duncan and Kevin Drury failed to make it through the first round. 

Following a crash in qualifications, Britt Phelan, who secured a career personal-best in the World Cup Finals, was unable to start today’s World Championship race.

Canadian Ladies

5 - Marielle Thompson 

7 - Georgia Simmerling

11 - India Sharret

DNS - Britt Phelan 

Canadian Men

7 - Brady Leman

9 - Chris Del Bosco

26 - Dave Duncan

27 - Kevin Drury

ABOUT ALPINE CANADA

Alpine Canada is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community.